Excavator



Sept. 14, 1943. E. w. AUSTIN EXCAVATGR Filed Oct. 13, 1959 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 "l ".H nl

INVENTOR f//wor//v WAM/m ATTORNEY Www/ vSepte 14, 1943. E. w. AUSTIN i 2,329,443

EXGAVATOR y Filed oct. 1s, 193s e snets-sheet 2 foo /33 /5 wor/h W Auf/fn f M ATTORNEY sept. 14, 1943. E w. AUSTIN 2,329,448

EXCAVATOR Y Filed Oct. 15, 1939 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 www A TORNE Sept. 14, 1943. E. w. AUSTIN 2,329,448

ExcAvATor;

Filed Oct. 13, 1939 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR ATTORNEY Sept. v14, 1943. l V|51, w, AUsTlN 2,329,448

EXCAVATGR Filed Oct. '13, 1939 6 Sheets-Shet 6 Patented Sept. 14, 1943 EXCAVATOR Ellsworth W. Austin, Cedar Rapids, plowa, as-

signor to La Plant-Choate Manufacturing Company, Incorporated, Cedar Rapids, Iowa. a

corporation of Delaware Application October 13, 1939, Serial No. 299,299

21 Claims.

My invention relates to excavating mechanisms and especially to earth-movers of a type designed not only to dislodge earthy material but also to pick up such material and transport it to a dumping location where the mechanism is effective to discharge its load.

Excavators of the type mentioned are usually utilized as vehicles drawn either singly or in multiple behind a draft implement such as a tractor. The tractor is usually supplied with a pair of winch drums which are power driven and controllable by the tractor operator and each of which is normally in braked or frictionally restrained position. By manipulation of either one of the two winch levers the tractor operator can first release the corresponding winch drum from its restraining 'brake and then connect it with a source of power so as to wind in an operating or propulsion cable. It has become standard practice to have two such normally braked, power-operated Winches available at the rear of a tractor.

It is therefore an object of my invention to provide an excavator which is operable with a winch-equipped draft implement as described.

It is another object of my invention to provide an excavator in which the load is positively expelled.

Another object of my invention is to provide an excavator in which the expelling unit is positively propelled in both directions of operation.

Another object of my invention is to provide an excavator which is readily regulable by the tractor operator.

Another object of my invention is to provide an excavator which is cable-operated throughout.

Another object of my invention is to provide an excavator which is in general an improvement over excavators heretofore known.

A further object of my invention is to provide in an excavator details of construction which are conducive to better construction, easier fabrication and economical manufacture and maintenance.

The foregoing and other objects are attained in the embodiment of the invention illustrated in thel drawings, in which- Fig. 1 is a side elevation of an excavator constructed in accordance with my invention;

Fig. 2 is a plan ofthe excavator shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a front elevation, to an enlarged scale, of my excayator;

Fig. 4 is a diagram showing in isometric perspective the arrangement of one propulsion cable;

Fig. 5 is a diagram showing in isometric perspective the arrangement of the other propulsion f cable;

Fig. 6 is a cross-section showing in detail the construction of the main bowl bottom and of the apron wall;

Figs. 7, 8 and 9 are diagrammatic cross-sections showing the pusher and front apron in successive positions;

Fig. 10 is a side elevation of an automatic cable-controlling structure; and

Fig. 11 is a cross-section of the automatic cable-controlling structure shown in Fig.'10. the plane of section being indicated by the line I I-l l of Fig. 10.

In its preferred form, the excavator of my invention includes a main bowl which is movable with respect to a main `frame and is provided with a front apron and a pusher connected by a mechanical linkage to the front apron, the pusher being propelled by two propulsion cables one of which is effective to move it positively in one direction and the other of which is effective lture, not shown. The axle 8 is adjacent its center provided with a fore-and-aft pivot connection I3- to a swivel I4 the hub of which is journaled to turn about an inclined axis IB in a mast Il forming part of the main frame generally designated I8. The mast, as well as other portions of the main frame and other portions of the excavator generally, is fabricated of sheet metal shapes, such as plates, channels, angles and the like, placed in juxtaposition and fastened together by welding or other convenient fastening means. Adjacent the top of thel mast Il the main frame diverges to provide ay generally horizontal, transversely extending platform I9 which at its ends merges with a pair of rearwardly extending frame side beams 2| and 22.

Each of the side beams ilr and 22 at its rearmost extremity serves as the `mounting for a journal pin 23 forming an articulated connection with the adjacent side wall 24 or 26 of the main bowl, generally designated 21. vThe side walls 24 and 26 are generally comprised of vertically extending metal sheets provided with surface reinforcements in the shape of added members, such .way that. the fol adjacent theirrearward portions are-connected to outriggers 30' and 31 extending to and connected with a rear axle 38 on which'rear groundengaging wheelsjjl and 4|. are journaled.

1n additioawthe two sides 24 and ze, me main! -bowl includes a bowl bottom 42 which extends betweentthe sides and not only acts as a brace which are situated special bent shapes 48. Each ofethese special shiipesds preferably fabricated. by taking .a sheet or Astrip of the requisite width and thenzbending it lengthwise in a sheet metal break to 4provide a structure which in transverse cross-section issomewhat like a standard angle.

There are differences in that the resulting special shape is absolutely uniform in metal gauge or thickness throughout, is not provided with the fillets of`a standard angle, andhas-a different grain structure in that a standard angle' is nor- V `mally rolled whereas the mentioned bent shapeis simply deformed froma previously planar sheet or strip.V Each of the special shapes 48 is put into f position and is held and flrmly united to the 'sheets u and 4 4.' as weil. as to' its adjacent similar members, by any suitable fastening means, suchvas welding. The .netA result of this scheme of fabrication is to provide an exceedingly rigid and strong bottom membrane Vor wall for the main bowl yet one whichy is quite cheap to make and is somewhat lighter in weight than similar struc- .10 member but likewise acts .as a load support. v

Preferably (Fig. (i) the bottom is Afabricated of f an upper sheet 4l and a lower sheet 44 between such close it.`7 Hence, operation of the front apron, whether laden or unladen, is accomplished with substantially the same force, being the force necessary to overcome the weight of the part.

'As an instrumentality for operating the front apron 5|, I provide a carriage, generally designated 1|, operable along the upper edges of the main bowl side walls 24 and 26. The carriage 1| includes a pair of side beams 12 and 13 which adjacent their rearmost portions are connected -by a cross-beam' 14. Each side beam 12 or 13 is supportedon rollers 16 and 11 journaled therein and engaging the upper edge of the associated side wall. Furthermore, to serve as lateral guides to the carriage and to insure that the carriage always runs in alignment with the side walls of the main bowl, each of the side beams 12 or 13 is provided with rollers 10 and 19 mounted far apart in a skirt 8I depending from the'b'eam and 4engaging the respective one of the side walls 24 and 26.

Mounted on and forming part of the carriage 1| is a pusher 83. The pusher is inclusiveof a transversely extending, approximately vertical,

soiri what curved wall` 84 fabricated very muchas-are the main bowl bottom 42 and the forward wall of the front apron 52, and extends between the side walls 24 and 26 with slight clearance so that the pusher 83 acts in effect as a plunger or expeller for loads contained within the main bowl. The pusher 83 is related to the carriage 1| by weldedconnections, including a reinforcing truss tures fabricated ofstan'dard, shapes, such as j angles or channels.

The forward part ofthe bottom 42 terminates in a cutting edge 41 which preferably is a separate-or detachable strip of special material which will take and hold a sharp cutting edge. "I have found by an extensive experience that itis preferable to arch or. bow the cutting edge 41 somewhat vso that the center portion thereof is lower or behindpthe side portions thereof. Y v In accordance with my'invention, and to in'- creasethe carrying capacity ofthe main bowl,

as well'as to facilitate the .reception and `discharge-of material, I preferably provide, to cooperate with the bottom 42 and the cutting edge l A 41,v and to operate Ywellbetween the side walls 24 and 26, a front apron generally designated 5|.

The front apron preferably includes a. forward wall 52 which is a 'duplex' member fabricated ,veryv much as is the bottom 42 and has its r'ear termi- -nation in a relatively sharp edge i3. Thefor'- ward` wall 52 isbounded by side platesA 04 and f which act as reinforcementsin connecting the forward wall. tozvside arms I1- and 50. respectively. Each of the arms l1 and 58 is preferably a three-sided hollow'. box and; can.' if desired, be" fabricated by folding a planar sheet in such'a portions are spacedfrom each other a pre eter-minedA amount and'have substantially the finished contourshown in the Cil forward end thereof are journals |0| and |02 for the rearmost end of the adjacent one of -a -pair 'of .operating struts or links |03 and |04 extending forwardly and connectedat their for; ward end to journal pins |08. and |01 situated in the arms 51`and 58 of the front apron. The pivotal axes of the journals |0| and |02, as well as of the journals |08 and |01, are such, with respect to-the positions of the pusher 03 and the front apron 52, and with respect to the location of the pivotal axis of the journals 58, that when the pusher is in its rearmosty position, as shown in Figs. 1 and 7, 'the front apron is closed or la in its lowermost position resting against the cutting edge 41. But as the carriage 1| is advanced. there drawings. The front apron llis related-to the remaining part of .thestructure by offset pivot connections I! and llfat the ends of the arms s1 mi u.' the pivot pins being mounted in the reinforcing side pistes n and n; respectively.

The location of the axis of the' pivots Il and 0| is preferably auch as io be'fnibsmniiauy si the center of the' arc'established by the inner wall of the' frontap'ron 54,V so that earth pressure upon is asimultaneous advancing `movement of the pusher 83 and of the links |03 and |04 which press upon the arms of the front apron 0| which then begins to open.

Although this rising movement of the apron is simultaneous with thaty of the pusher, it is not at exactly the same rate, since, as lshown diagrammatically in Figs. '-1, 8 and 9, the links |03 and |04 pass through a position in which they are at right angles to the general plane of the carriage 1| and then incline themselves in'an opposite direction, so that as the pusher 03 comes forwardly the apron 0| opens very rapidly at first, then slows considerably in itsopening movement until finally it is stationary instantaneously as 'the pusher continues to advance, and then front apron tends neither to lift it nor to moves downwardly slightly toward closed position as the pusher achieves its foremost location. Then, when the pusher is retracted, the links |03 and |04 first slowly lift the front apron from a slightly closed position to maximum open position, and then more and' more rapidly close the front apron as the pusher more slowly approaches its rearmost position. Throughout the entire range of movement of the pusher and of the front apron, therefore, there is a simultaneous movement of the two without any lost motion, yet the rate oi movement varies becauseof the relationship of the link connection between the two. There is always, therefore, a relatively rapid apron opening for the initial movement of the pusher and a subsequent very slow movement of the apron for the latter portion ofthe pusher movement toward open position. Yet on return movement, as the pusher begins to return, the front apron has a relatively slow movement and then, as the pusher is substantially in its retracted position, it very quickly moves into its own closed position.

To impel the pusher forwardly and simultaneously operate the front apron by means of. the link connection., and to maintain the carriage 1I .free from twisting strains about a vertical axis which would tend to cock it4 or to cause it to bind as it travels on the upper edges of the main bowl, I provide apropulsion cable III (Fig. which is under the control of the tractor operator and which extends rearwardly from one of the power-operated, normally braked Winches on the tractor. The cable III is first trained around a leading sheave I I2 mounted on a pivot connection H3 on the mast II. The cable III then passes around a guide sheavev |I4 at the upper portion 'of the mast and engages a lower guide pulley ||I5 located adjacent the center of the platform I9. The cable III then extends around a corner sheave II8 journaled in'an upright guard plate I|9 upstanding from the platform I9 and the side beam 2|, and extends thence rearwardly along the side beam 2| to engage a guide pulley I2I mounted thereupon.

From the guide sheave |2I the cable III passes around a primary sheave |22 journaled on the side plate 32 and then partially encompasses a sheave |23 which is journaled upon the side beam 'l2 of the carriage '|I. This reverses the direction of the cable III which thence extends forwardly to pass around a secondary sheave I 24 journaled on the side plate 32 coaxially with ,the sheave sheave |24 the cable II| thence extends rearwardly to a generally horizontal sheave |27 mounted to turn on a vertical journal |28 at one side of the cross-beam 14.

The cable III then extends across the pusher or carriage member to a similar sheave |29 mounted on a journal I3| extending vertically from the other side of the cross-beam '|4, and passes forwardly to extend around a primary sheave |32 secured to the side plate 33 and in alignment with the primary sheave |22. From the sheave |32 the cable I II extends thence rearwardly to pass partially around a sheave |33 in alignment with the sheave |23 and'secured to the carriage beam 14. From this point the cable III extends forwardly to an anchorage |34 on the side p late 33 and either can terminate at this point or can extend Ato any convenient position forl a reel of additional cable which can be threaded through the'various sheaves in the event the cable III should break.

I 22. From the stationary secondary With the arrangement of the cable III described, even though the cable is away from the center of the structure out of the dirt, traction upon the propulsion cable II causes a force to be exerted equally at opposite sides of the carriage 'II so that a uniform effort is exerted upon the carriage to move it forwardly within the main bowl. Since the traction or propulsion cable extends across the carriage there is an equalization of force applied to the two sides thereof, and hence there is no imposition of 'a twisting or cooking force upon the pusher, and the pusher is thereby propelled forwardly with equal pressure at opposite sides thereof despite any inequality of resistance of the load or in its distribution.

The force exerted through the propulsion cable i|| not only is transmitted to the carriage so that the pusher 83 is moved forwardly, but likewise some of the force is transmitted through the links 503 and |94 to lift the front apron. Since the links E03 and IEM pass center as the pusher cornes forwardly, the force causing the first portion of the movement of the pusher is opposed by the weight of the front apron, but after the links are past center the weight of the frontv apron is effective to assist in the final ejecting movement or terminal forward travel of the pusher so that the latter portion of the work of the cable III is considerably lessened. In some other structures, the forward movement of the pusher is opposed by springs, .and the force required 'to compress the spring becomes greater and greater as the travel of the pusher approaches its greatest extent. But in the present instance the load upon the cable III, although originally a maximum, is a minimum when the load is discharged.

To return the pusher and front apron and also to lift and lower the main bowl with respect to the main frame, I provide a second propulsion cable I 6I (Fig. 4). This cable extends from the second winch drum, which is normally braked but is under the control of the tractor operator for connection to its source of power, and engages with a sheave |62 journaled on an axis |63 on the mast II. From the sheave |62 the cable |6| extends around a guide` sheave |64 on the mast I'I and then extends around a generally horizontal sheave |66 above and coaxial with the sheave IIS on the platform I9. From the sheave |66 the cable I6| extends into one of a family of sheaves |61 included in a block |68 rwhich is one of a pair of blocks the otherone |69 of which contains a similar family ITI of sheaves. The cable ISI is trained around all of the sheaves in the blocks I 68 and |69 in'proper sequence, so that if the end of the cable is held when the cable |6| is tensioned, the blocks |68 and |69 are urged toward each other.

To serve as suitable supports and guides for the blocks |68 and |69, each of them is provided with a bearing box |12 encompassing a square guide bar'I13 extending transversely abovethe platform I9 and appropriately spaced therefrom not only by the guard II9 but bya companion guard |14 which also extends upwardly from the platform I 9. in addition, the blocks |63 and |69 have side plates I'II and |18 resting on opposite sides of a rail I'IS upstanding from the platform proximately horizontal sheave |83 journaled in a corner of the guard |14 and thence extends over an approximately vertical sheave |84 journaled in a projection of the guard |14 and finally passes downwardly to a connection withv the side wall of the main bowl. i

In a generally comparable fashion, to the block |69 is connected a heavy cable |9| secured thereto by an anchorage |92 and thence extending around a substantially horizontal sheave |99 journaled in the guard I|9 and then passing around an approximately vertical sheave |94 journaled in la projection of the guard H9. Finally, the cable `|9| drops downwardly to a connection with the side WallI 24 of the main bowl.

Now., while the cables |9| and |9| can be directly connected to the main bowl and directly bear its weight, as shown in Fig. 4, I prefer to utilize an indirect connection which also affords a buier or cushion for the carriage 1| and pusher. To jar loose material adhering to the pusher and to the front apron, it is expedient, to force the pusher several times sharply against a stop at the end of its travel. This is effective but is a severe strain upon the mechanism, so I gain the benets but avoid the excessive shock, by providing, as shown in Fig. l, bell cranks 3H and 3|2 mounted on pivot pins 3| 3 in the side walls 24 and 26, respectively.

Each bell crank has a pivot connection 3|4 to 'to pass around a sheave 203 `mounted to turn on the same journal as the sheave |21. This sheave is thus symmetrically disposed at the other end of the carriage beam 14. The cable |6| then terminates in a stationary anchorage 204 on the side wall 24 or, being anchored, can extend to a suitable location for a reel of additional cable, so that in the event any portion of the vcable |6| breaks, the path -can be retraced and the cable rethreadecl.

With the arrangement of the cable |6| described, tension upon it is exerted not only upon the blocks |68 and |69 but also upon the caran anchor 3|6 at the terminus of the respective v one of the heavy cables Ill and 9|, so that the weight of the main bowl urges the bell cranks to rock into abutment with stops 3|1 secured upon the respective side walls 24 and 26. Rollers 3|8 on the long arms 3|9 or the bell cranks are disposed in the path of movement of the two carriage side beams 12 and 13 to be aloutteti` thereby during the final expelling movement of the pusher. This movement is therefore abruptly resisted by the weight of the main bowl, which affords a yielding but effective buffer for jarring the pusher and front apron.

If the propulsion cable |6| were anchored after passing about the sheaves in the blocks and |69, tension upon the cable |6| would cause the blocks to approach each other and to tension the heavy cables |8| and |9| so that the main bowl would be llifted with respect to the vmain frame and with respect to the ground. Also, if the cable |6|, being so anchored, were then slackened, the weight of the main bowl would still exert' tension upon the heavy cables |8| and |9| and would draw the blocks |69 and |69 apart so that the main bowl would lower not only with respect to the main frame but likewise with respect to the ground. Thus, if the cable |6| were so anchored, an operator, properlytaking in and paying out the cable |66, would be enabled at will to lift and lower the main bowl with respect to the ground.

But, in accordance with my invention, I preferably do not anchor the cable |6| adjacent either of the blocks 66 or'l69, but prefer to continue the cable and utilize it as a means for positively returning, the pusher from its advanced position to its retracted position. lFor that reason, from the last sheave of the family |1| I extend the propulsion cable |6| around an approximately horizontal sheave |98 journaled in the guard |16. The cable then extends along the side beam 22 4to underlie a sheave |99 which is on the same journal as the sheave |32, and continues rearwardly to pass around a sheave 200 mounted upon a stationary support 20| which is a projection from theside wall 26. From the sheave 200 the cable |,6I passes around afsheave 202 journaled at one end of the beam 14 on the same axis as the sheave |29,v and extends thence across the carriage 1| `when the cable 'to the latch 2| and overcome the latch 2| into engagement riage 1|, tending to retract such 'carriage and also to lower the front apron. Thus, when the cable is slackened and the cable |6| is tensioned, the pusher 51 is retracted if its resistance to movement is less than the resistance to movement of the blocks |68 and |69. On the other hand, if the blocks present less resistance, then they are first pulled into their most closely approached position and', after they abut and can no longer approach, the tension on the cable |6| is then effective to retract positively the rear end gate into its rearmost position. Correspondingly, |6| is slackened and the cablel I is tightened, the gate and the front aprony 4,are moved forwardly or into discharging position, but since the blocks |68 and |69 are affected by. stressin the cable |6|, it is possible to vary the height of the main bowl while loperating the pusher. If, for example, the cable vis taken in at the same rate as the cable |6| is paid out, then no change in position of the blocks |68 andy |69 occurs, and the height of the main bowl is unchanged. On the other hand, if the rate of taking in the cable |6| is'less than or greater than the rate of paying out the cable a re'- sulting movement of the blocks |68 and |69 and of the main bowl occurs, this movement then being in response to the diierence in rate of movement of the cables |6| and ill.

In accordance with my invention, however, I'

provide means for making operation of the cables |6| and somewhat independent of the operation of the blocks, or make the block operations automatically responsive to certain operations of the cables. As especially disclosed in Fig. 2, the block |69 can be provided with a latch 2|| which is pivotally mounted thereon and is adapted, when the blocks are closely approached, to (engage a flange 2|2 extending from the block |68. A spring 2|3 normally keeps the latch 2|| oui'l of engagement with the blocks are closely approached theoperator can pull upon an actuating cable 2|4 attached the urgency of the spring 2|3 to bring with the flange, so that the weight of the main bowl and the loadtherein is borne not by the cable |6| but rather directly upon the latch 2| This is especially useful during long transport since the strain upon the 'cable |6| is entirely relieved. When this engagement is to bediscontinued, slacking of the cable 2|4'permits rthe spring 2|3 to remove the latch 2|| from the flange 2|2, and the blocks |69 and ISLare then `again free to move.

the ilange 2 |2, but when y height of the main bowl sioned to return the pusher from electing position to retracted position. This arrangement is especially useful in spreading earth. Furthermore, such mechanism is preferably made automatically responsive to operation of the cable so that no further operator controls are necessary. In this arrangement, as illustrated particularly in Figs. 10 and l1, a block 268 is provided with a latch bar 21| which is adapted to engage a bar 212 on a co-operating block 269. This engagement can take place in any one of several positions, since the latch bar 21| is provided with a plurality of notches 213. While three such notches 213 are shown, it is obvious that only one.

such notch can be utilized or that ten or fifteen notches can be provided to afford any desired number of adjustments in height of the main bowl.

For engaging the latch bar 21| with the bar 212, since the weight of the bar and a spring 214 normally keeps it out of such engagement, I provide a bell.crank 28| which is mounted on a pivot pin 282 projecting from ears 283 upstanding from the platform I9. One arm 294 of the bell crank underlies the central portion of the latch bar 21| and is effective to cam against it, while the other arm 286 of the bell crank is pierced to receive an operating rod 281 which is effective upon the arm 286 through the intermediary of a surrounding coil spring 288 provided with an adjusting nut 289 to regulate the tension thereof. The operating rod 291 is connected by a universal connection 29| to an upst'anding lever 292 joined to the housing 293 of the sheave II4. T he housing 293, instead of being rigidly attached tothe mast I1 as in the modification shown in Fig. 1, for example, is rather pivotally mounted by a pin 294 journaled in ears 298 upstanding from the mast I1. w

In the operation of this structure, when the cable |6| has been tensioned to locate the main bowl at the desired height above the ground, a subsequent pull or tensioning of the propulsion cable III urges the housing 293 to rotate around the axis of the journal 294 and against the urgency of a return spring291 one end of which engages an eye 298 on the housing 293 and the other end of which is connected to a bracket 299 upstanding from the platform I9; lso that not only is the urgency of the spring 291 overcome but also the lever 292 is rotated. This actuates the operating rod 281 through the medium of the spring 288, and the bell crank 28| is likewise rotated to lift the latch bar 21|.

As soon as the latch bar is lifted with one of the adjacent notches 213 in contact with the bar 212, the parts interlock as. the load on the sheave blocks 268 and 269 ,is relieved. Thus the entire load of the main bowl is held by the latching arrangement aslong as tension exists in the cable I I I. As soon as such tension is released, however,

the spring 291 is effective again to rotate the sheave housing 293 so that `the bell crank 29| rotates in a counter-clockwise direction, as seen in Fig. 10, permitting the latch bar 21| to dropl out of `engagement with the bar 212, and releasing the parts for control by the cable -IS I.

Furthermore, in this installation, in the eventA it is not desired to depend entirely upo'n the tensioning of the cable III to effectuate the latching operation, the lever arm 2.96 can be provided with an extension 39| to which a cable 302 is fastened yand which extends forwardly to the operators station on the tractor, so that by manually ten- 10 tilinear path through said mainbowl, between a -i'lrst position remote from said open end and a second position adjacent said open end, a'link, a pivot connecting said link to said pusher, and

a second pivot connecting said link to said front apIOIi.

2. An excavator comprising a main bowl hav'- ing an open end, a front apron, a pivot mountingV said front apron on said main bowl to swing toward and away from s aidend, a pusher, means for constraining said pusher to move in a path' through said main bowl between a rst position remote from said end and a secondposition adjacent said end, a link, a pivot connecting said link to said front apron at a predetermined point, a second pivot connecting said link to said `pusher at a point which approaches and passes said predetermined point during the movement of said pusher through said main bowl to produce movenient of said front apron in' two directions for a 1 single direction of movement o'f said pusher.

3. An excavator comprising ground engaging supports, a main bowl, means mounting said main bowl upon said supports for lifting and lowering movement with respect to the ground, a pusher disposed within said main bowl, means constraining said pusher. to advancing and retracting movement with respect to said main bowl, a cable, u means for connecting said cable to said main bowl to exert a. lifting force thereupon, and means for connecting said cable to said pusher to exert a retracting force thereupon.

. 4. An excavator comprising ground engaging supports, a main bowl,means `mounting, said main. bowl upon said supports for lifting and lowering movement with respect to the ground, a pusher disposed within said main bowl, means constraining said pusher to advancing and .re` tracting. movement with respect to said main bowl, a single propulsion cable, and means operatively relating said propulsion cable to ,said main bowl and to said pusher effective to overcome the resistance of said main bowl 'to lifting and to overcome the resistance of the pusher to retracting.

i supports, a main bowl, means mountingsaid main bowl upon said supports for lifting and lowering movement with respect to the ground, a pusher disposed within said main bowl, means rconstraining said pusher to advancing and retracting movement with respect to said mainbowl, a 'front apron disposed-at one end of said main bowl, means constraining said front apron to move toward and away 'fromsaid end, a link, means connecting said link to said pusher and to said front apron, a rst propulsion cable, means for connecting said rst cable to advancesaid pusher, a second propulsion cable, and means for connecting saidI second cable to lift said main bow and retract said pusher. l

6. An excavator comprising ground engaging supports, a main bowl, means mounting said main bowl upon said supports for lifting and lowering movement with respect to the ground, a

pusher disposed within said main bowl, means 5. An excavatorcomprising ground engaging for connecting said second cable to lift said main bowl, and tc retract said pusher.

'7. An excavator comprising ground engaging supports, a main bowl, means mounting said main bowl upon said supports for lifting and lowering movement with respect to the ground, a pusher disposed within said main bowl, means constraining said pusher to advancing and retracting movement with respect to said main bowl, means for advancing said pusher, means for lifting said main bowl and retracting said pusher, means for restraining said movement of said main bowl, and means responsive to the operation of said advancing means for operating said restraining means.

8. An excavator comprising ground engaging supports, a main bowl, means mounting said main bowl upon said supports for lifting and lowering movement with respect to the ground including a frame member pivotally connected to said main bowl, a pair of sheaves, means constraining said. pair of sheaves to translation o n said frame mem/- ber, connections between said pair of sheaves and said main bowlfa pusher, means mounting said pusher for movement within said main bowl, and a cable engaging said pair of sheaves and connected to said pusher.

9. An excavator comprising ground engaging' supports, a main bowl, means mounting said main bowl upon said supports for lifting and lowering movement with respect to the ground including a frame member, means for moving said main bowl considered as one part with respect to said frame member considered as another part including a pair of sheaves, means for mounting said sheaves upon one of said parts for movement in a iixed path, means for connecting said sheaves to the other of said parts, a pusher, means mounting said pusher for movement within said main bowl, means for limiting the range of said pusher movement, and a propulsion cable engaging said sheaves to draw them together and engaging said pusher to draw said pusher toward said limiting means.v Y

10. An excavator comprising ground engaging supports, a main bowl, means mounting said main bowl upon supports for lifting and lowering movement with respect to the ground, a load mover, means mounting said load moven for movement within said main bowl, -a. single propulsion cable, and means tor operativelygelating said cable to said'main bowl mounting means and to said load mover mounting means to move said,

main bowl and said load mover.

11. An excavator comprising ground engaging supports, a frame member, means mounting 'said frame member upon said supports, an earth-sustaining member, means mounting said earth-sustaining member to move relative to said frame member, a common guide bar, means Vmounting said guidebar on said frame, a pair of bearing boxes, means mounting both of said bearing boxes toslide on said guide bar, cables connecting said bearing boxes and said earth-sustaining member. sheaves mounted in each of said bearing boxes, a propulsion cable reeved around said sheaves,

'and means for guiding said propulsion cable onto oneof said sheaves with said cable parallel to said guide bar. ,Y

12. An excavator comprising ground engaging supports, a main bowl, means for mounting said main bowl upon said supports for lifting and lowering movement with respect to the ground in.Y

cluding a frame member, a pusher, means for Asaid main bowl in a predetermined path, a bell crank having one arm extending into said path. means pivoting said bell crank on said main bowl, a. sheave, means mounting said sheave on said main frame, and a cable4 reeved on said sheave and connected to the other arm of said bell crank.

13. In a scraper, having: ground support; a digging blade, capable oi being raised and lowered with respect to the ground; a dirt-extruding element capable of being shifted to extrude dirt; and a main body capable, in conjuiction with the dirt-extruding element, of serving as a dirt-holding container; the combination therewith of: a rope to shift the dirt-extruding element to extrude dirt; and a rope to raise and lower the digging blade; said last named rope being operatively attached to the dirt-extruding element, whereby tension in said last named rope tends to return the dirt-extruding element.

14. An excavator comprising a main bowl having an open end, a front apron, means ior constraining said front apron to move in a path between a closed position occupying said open end and an'open position spaced away from said open end, a pusher, means for constraining said pusher to move in a path extending through said bowl between a first position remote from said open end and a second position adjacent said open end, and a strut pivoted to said pusher and to said front apron for moving said front apronA from said open position into said closed position during the same time and whenever said pusher 40 moves from said second position into said nrst position.

15. An excavator comprising a main bowl having an open end, a front apron, means for constraining said front apron to move in a path between a closed position occupying said open end and an open position spaced away from said open end, a pusher, means for constraining said pusher to move in a rectilinear path through said bowl between a nrst position remote from said open end and a second position adjacent said open end. and a strut movably'fastened directly on said .pusher and directly on said front apron for constraining said `front apron and said pusher to move simultaneously. f

16. An excavator comprising ground engaging Supports, a -main bowl, means mounting said main bowl upon said supports for lifting and lowering movement with respect to the ground,

a pusher disposed within said main bowl, means constraining said pusher to advancing and retracting movement with respect lto'said main bowl, and a single force-transmitting means common to said pusher and to said main bowl for. tending when energized simultaneously to lift said main bowl and to retract said pusher. 17. An excavator comprising ground engaging supports, a main bowl, means mounting said` mounting said pusher for movement throughv and for moving said member, means for restraining loweringof said main bowl, and means or operating said restraining means.

18. An excavator comprising ground engaging supports, a main bowl, means mounting said main bowl upon said supports for lifting and lowering movement with respect to the ground including a frameniember, means for moving said main bowl considered as one part with respect to said frame memberconsidered as another part including a pair of sheaves, means for mounting said sheaves upon one of said parts for movement in a common rectilinear path, a propulsion cable,and means for guiding said propulsion cable onto one of said sheaves with said cable parallel to said path.

-19. An excavator comprising ground engaging supports, a main bowl, means mounting said main bowl upon said supports for lifting andlowering movement with respect to the ground including a frame member, a pair of bearing boxes, means for mounting said bearing boxes to slide upon said frame in a common rectilinear path, means connecting each of said bearing boxes.' to said main bowl, sheaves mounted in said bearing boxes, a propulsionv cable reeved around said sheaves, and means for guiding said propulsion cable onto one of said sheaves with said cable parallel to-said path.

` 20. An excavator comprising ground engaging supports, a main bowl, means including a frame member formounting said main bowl upon said supports for lifting and lowering movement with respect to the ground, a pusher, means for mounting said pusher for movement through said main bowl, an abutmentfmember having a portion projecting into the path of said pusher, and means for movably connecting said abutment member to said frame and to said main bowl.

21. An excavator comprising ground-engaging supports, a frame member, means mounting said frame member upon said supports, an-earth-sustaining member, means mounting said earthl sustaining member to move relative to said frame 'boxes `with the planes of said sheaves out of the plane of said guide sheaves, means on said frame member and engaged by said bearing boxes for guiding said bearing boxes in a common path .to hold said rst and second cables coplanar with bothof said guide sheaves, a propulsion cable Areeved around and coplanar with one of said planar sheaves, and a lead sheave on said frame member engaged by and tangent to said propulsion cable.

ELLSWQRTH W. AUSTIN. 

